Newark NJ vs Wilmington DE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 71,124 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.0 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 8.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 46.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 11.8% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $64,087 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 394 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1991 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.0% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.0% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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